Fronteras

Phoenix bus drivers have a hand-shake agreement with Veolia Transporation on a new labor contract. This comes after a six-day strike that paralyzed bus service across the city. As drivers vote on the contract today, the Phoenix city council is hoping to provide some incentive. KJZZ’s Paul Atkinson reports.

Buses depart a Valley Metro bus station. (Image courtesy of Valley Metro)

The city’s contract with Veolia Transportation has a provision that requires the company to pay damages for failing to meet performance standards like running on time. The company paid Phoenix $1.2 million dollars last year and faces another $380,000 for underperforming last summer. But Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton says that amount may exceed Federal Transit Administration guidelines, so the city council agreed to move up a scheduled vote on whether to lower that amount.

"To the extent that this will help facilitate the service back out on the street as soon as possible," says Stanton. "I think taxpayers will like the type of leadership we are demonstrating.

The vote would not include damages related to delays caused by the strike. If drivers approve the latest collective bargaining contract, bus service could be back to normal as early as Friday.